The past 30 years have been full of ups and downs as life happens all around us.
My oldest son is nearly 21 years old, yet just yesterday I was pushing him in a stroller to the park. I look at myself and I see my mother. My mother now looks more like my late grandmother. My daughter looks like me, only ten times more beautiful than I can ever remember feeling. Time passes by, and I am so grateful for this beautiful life.
When I started my early childhood career at the age of 20, I had already been working at preschools and daycares for four years. I was 16 when I got a summer job at a daycare, and then every year after, and through college, I worked at various preschools as well. I always knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with children. I feel like it was always meant to be.
​When I opened up my first centre in the basement of my home, I was just 20 years old. I had not yet travelled the world, or even left the island much, but I had a mortgage to pay, a business to run, and 7 little humans to care for all by myself. For almost a decade, I worked 10-hour days, five days a week.
As a young child, I developed a strong sense of empathy and a deep appreciation for creating a safe and supportive environment from an early age, which has been a powerful motivator in my career. While my background instilled in me an understanding of the challenges some children face, it also cultivated a strong personal drive to become a source of stability and nurturing for others.
Early in my life, I navigated many personal challenges. Those experiences taught me a great deal about perseverance and adaptability. 
They also gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of a secure and positive environment for young children. This is one of the many reasons I am so passionate about early childhood education! This is also why I am so very passionate about our forests!
My commitment to helping children grow and thrive is deeply rooted. I've learned that a child's environment can shape their future, and I am driven to be a positive influence in that foundational stage. That journey has equipped me with a high level of empathy and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
The forest.
The forest was MY go-to solitude when I was a child, and as well as when I was a young woman just starting my practice. In the forest, we witness nature's long-term cycles of growth, decay, and resilience. This can offer perspective on the impermanence of our current struggles and remind us of our own capacity for adaptation.
I cannot think of a better classroom than being among trees, branches, birds, meadows, grass, sticks, and pine cones. The natural world offers a rich and dynamic context for early childhood education, extending beyond the confines of a traditional classroom.

Research has shown that outdoor learning can lead to enhanced engagement, improved physical and mental health, and greater imaginative play. By integrating nature into our curriculum, we aim to promote the holistic development of children, fostering not only academic skills but also resilience, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the environment.

The outdoor space becomes our "third teacher," offering a diverse and stimulating setting for exploration.
Three decades ago, people were not as open to the concept of learning in nature. I got a lot of pushback from parents who focused more on the dangers of the forest rather than the benefits the forest had to offer. I believe that parent and educator perspectives on outdoor learning were more cautious due to a different societal understanding of risk and child safety. Today, a growing body of research has demonstrated the benefits of carefully managed "risky play," and our approaches have evolved to incorporate this understanding safely.
The "Nature-based" approach was once considered "alternative," and it took time for mainstream acceptance. Past parental reluctance was often based on a lack of familiarity with the pedagogical benefits, which are now widely recognized and supported by research.
I have seen a significant shift in attitudes towards outdoor education. Unfortunately, this kind of childcare facility is now considered a 'luxury" rather than a "standard of care".
Where did we go wrong?
With a growing number of childcare facilities being built in shopping plazas, on the rooftops of high buildings, and on school grounds, I ask this simple question:
"Where is their forest, and why do we seem to be moving backwards?"
We are in British Columbia! For goodness' sake!
We have more forests and more trees than any other province across Canada! In fact, around 60.3 million hectares of British Columbia are forested, which accounts for 64% of the province's total land area.
So, why are we purposely choosing to put children into modular classrooms and parking lots? I'm confused.

Flashback to 2008. I still giggle at my (fantastic) Licensing Officer's reaction when we were finalizing the last inspection before opening Little Bears. He had this checklist that he had to check off, which consisted of a bunch of playground regulations made for "school yards and commercial spaces."
"No, exposed roots, no tripping hazards, no slippery surfaces, no sharp rocks, etc, etc." He just looked at me, like, "How am I supposed to check this paper off when this is a forest and not a playground? EVERYTHING is a hazard!
Luckily, he saw my vision and my passion, and he understood the value of risky play and natural play spaces. I was very lucky that he was my licensing officer at that time.

When I visit the schools in Reggio-Emilia, Italy, I marvel at the time and attention that has gone into their city and into the spaces for children; the focus is on the child. The schools are plentiful, spectacular, and affordable to everyone in their province. There are enough spaces for all of the children, and there are incredible educators who work there making a comfortable wage. It is interesting to note that there are also many men who work in the childcare programs.
The higher number of men in Reggio Emilia's municipal preschools is a result of intentional, historical, and pedagogical factors rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach itself.
In 1944, the city of Reggio Emilia experienced bombing during the Second World War. Loris Malaguzzi ( an aspiring teacher at that time) witnessed the neighbouring community building a school, brick by brick.  It was said that the men wanted to build a theatre, but the women insisted on building a school for their children. The women won, of course.
Loris Malaguzzi worked with the community to establish the first school based on the Reggio Emilia approach.
I feel as if I could write forever on Loris Malaguzzi and the practice of Reggio Emilia because this has been my passion for nearly 3 decades. (more to come on this...)

My intention is to compare a city like Reggio-Emilia, which puts its children first and foremost, and has created beautiful buildings and outdoor spaces purposely built for its children. Even though many of the preschools are located in the heart of the city, you wouldn't know it! Native trees have grown high, and large spaces have been carved out and designed with grass, gardens, and natural foliage. The city has put time, effort, and money into these schools because it recognizes the importance of nature and trees in a child's life! THE FOREST is where the learning happens!

Studies in Finland showed that children who played in daycares with a natural forest floor had a more diverse and robust microbiome, leading to better-regulated immune systems.

Preschools that are in the forest provide abundant opportunities for active, full-body movement like running, climbing, and digging. This supports healthy weight management and combats sedentary lifestyles.
Navigating uneven terrain, climbing rocks, and manipulating natural objects help children develop their balance, agility, coordination, and fine motor control. (Where are they going to do this on an asphalt parking lot covered in rubber mats?)

Nature can have a calming effect on children who may be hyperactive or neurodiverse, and outdoor play has been proven to reduce ADHD symptoms. It helps children cycle through and self-regulate their emotions.

By developing a connection with the natural world from an early age, children are more likely to become responsible environmental stewards later in life. They learn firsthand about ecosystems and the importance of conservation.
Children can learn to assess and manage risks while developing confidence and a sense of self-reliance. Additionally, a forest childcare centre may instill a connection to the natural world, cultivating a sense of environmental awareness from a very young age.
If a child never has the opportunity to hug a tree and feel its energy, how are they going to learn to fight for that forest in the future when it is threatened by development?

Ultimately, the goal of early childhood education is to nurture a well-rounded, capable, and curious little human. The unique aspects of a nature-based, forest education suggest that it is one of many valid options for parents seeking to cultivate a resilient, healthy, and connected child.

Shouldn't this be the goal?

"If you can, you should spend an hour a day in the forest. But in case you're really busy, you should spend two."

Luckily, my Little Bears are in their forest for more than 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. If I were little, this is exactly where I would want to spend my days. (Actually, now that I'm big...this IS exactly where I want to spend my days!)

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
As always, 
Shine on!
With gratitude,
Lexie

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Hello, hello. 
I cannot believe that a decade has flown by, and I am just now finally coming up for air. SO many wonderful and not-so-wonderful things have happened in the field of early childhood education that it is going to take many, many months of blogs to catch up!

​My travels have taken me around this big and beautiful world several times, and I have met some of the MOST incredible, intelligent, and charismatic early childhood educators along the way! The three places that I have fallen in love with above all are Italy (Reggio-Emilia, of course), New Zealand, and Sweden.
Having the privilege to travel internationally in my 40s has been such a transformational experience for me, not only as a woman entrepreneur but also as a forever student who can never seem to grasp enough knowledge or find the time to share it all with my colleagues, staff, and students.
Just this past week, I had my very good friend visit me from Australia, whom I met at an Italian, Reggio-Emilia conference, in Stockholm, Sweden. (wrap your brain around that!)
The BEST thing about travelling around the world to learn about the Reggio philosophy is the educators who share the same passion as I do! 

"Find your tribe. Love them hard. I've found mine in the fellow educators who see the world through the same lens of wonder as I do, who are just as passionate and nurturing about little minds and big hearts."

It is easy to forget how beautiful our centres are when you are always engulfed in them. Little Bears has been running since 2008, and as we draw near to our 20th year at this location and my 30th year in practice, I feel overwhelmed reminiscing about the hard work, passion, and commitment that I have poured into my centres.
Whenever a new group of students is toured through or if a colleague flies across the globe to stay with me, I am reminded of this undeniably unique and overwhelmingly stunning forest that we live in. The land itself is breathtaking, let alone the programs that my staff and I have so lovingly designed. 

"Our nature program is the culmination of my team's passion and expertise. I am completely confident that we are providing an unparalleled educational experience that will have a lasting, positive impact on every child who enrolls here."

As I walked through each program with my friend, I tried to look around at each room through her eyes. At first glance, I saw beautiful artwork, thoughtful provocations using the materials I have purchased from here and there over the years, and the natural foliage the educators had gathered from around the property. I noticed the photos on the walls, the smell of peppermint from the air diffuser, and that the morning light lit up the room so beautifully without any of the overhead lights turned on. I feel proud of my amazing staff who work so hard to keep this program running so smoothly and who take such time and care into the environment in which the children spend their days.

**BUT, as the owner of this program, I could only FOCUS on;

1. The books that looked a bit worn and torn needed to be replaced.
2. The bulletin border that had a corner piece missing and the artwork that was dangling off one tack instead of two.
3. Did I replace the hook that had fallen off in the cubby room?
4. The window sills need a fresh coat of paint.
5. I need to replace the mop head for that broom they keep reminding me about.
I am reminded:
"Inside the forest, children are like seedlings, given the perfect conditions of sunlight, space, rich earth to grow into strong, resilient trees."

Yes, here we "grow" little humans into bigger humans who will one day run this world.
It is a privilege to witness the world through a child's eyes every day, and I am often teary-eyed by the experience. The wonder and innocence of children never cease to inspire me. To be a witness to a child's growth is a powerful, heartwarming experience that always reminds me of the importance of my work.

(Big sigh)...
As the owner/businesswoman that I am, the joy of just walking into a program and seeing it through the lens of a NEW parent, or a student, or a colleague from Australia (who has never been to Canada, let alone to a nature program on Vancouver Island) has been sadly skewed and jaded. The business of childcare is hard.
The level of care, attention to detail, safety recognition, costs, wear and tear, repairs, replacements, materials.... it can be overwhelming at best.
For women like me who are (self-diagnosed) overachieving people pleasers with perfectionist intentions and overly high expectations, nothing is ever perfect or finished.
Where I am going with all of this brabble, is that my friend helped me to stop and recognize what was right in front of me. My beautiful centre that is precious, thoughtfully crafted, one-of-a-kind, magical, intrinsic, and purposely built for the love of children.
FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR CHILDREN!
She reminded me that NOTHING like this exists in Australia, because Little Bears is in a forest in Canada! Just like there are no other centres like the ones we visit in Reggio-Emilia, Italy, because they only exist in Italy! We can only be inspired by them; it is not meant that we can re-create or copy them. We have to stay authentic to our own land and our own country. I have woven together threads from different philosophies and beliefs to create a tapestry of my own belief system that works within this natural environment. My worldview is a mosaic of various philosophies, pieced together to form its own unique picture of what Little Bears represents to me and my country.
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As a Canadian citizen, this program has been thoughtfully created while keeping our unique culture and values in mind. By honouring the land and the Indigenous history that we recognize today, we will slowly work towards reconciliation and truth.
We have begun the journey, and we invite the educators, the community, and the future Little Bears students to join us. Our commitment is to learn and grow alongside the children in our care while honouring the history and resilience of first nations people. This means creating a space where every child feels respected, and where we all learn from Indigenous perspectives. We are truly dedicated to creating a brighter future, guided by mutual respect and understanding.

"The woods provide a curriculum written by nature itself, teaching children creativity, resilience, and problem solving in ways a screen never could."

Places like Little Bears do not exist in great numbers.
I can think of ONE other childcare owner/girlboss who shares my love and passion for nature, the environment, and beautiful spaces, and that is Vanessa of Storyoga in Deep Cove, BC. Google her, SHE is the real deal. 
 I do not know of one other group childcare centre on the island (let alone in BC) that provides a 4-acre forest campus, with a Reggio-Emilia-inspired program for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. period.
I know what we have is rare and special.
I know that Little Bears is something that I can be very proud of, and I am very protective of everything that has taken me nearly two decades to build.
Thank you, my dear friend, for reopening my eyes and reminding me why I am so passionate about what I do and what I say when it comes to children and their right to excellent education. The forest is a special place and one that we will forever protect fiercely on the island. 
"The forest is an all-season classroom, where every fallen log is a lesson in decomposition and every bird call is a lesson in communication."

Vancouver Island is a magical and beautiful place to raise your children and to fall in love with nature. The overwhelming demand and success of our nature program is a direct reflection of my dedicated staff's vision and hard work over the past two decades. To each of them, I am forever grateful. You know who you are...
Thank you.

To every person who reads this, thank you. 
Your time and attention are the fuel that keeps me writing! I am already excited about what's next, and I can't wait to share the past three decades of wisdom with you in this capacity. Please leave a comment on your thoughts or on a topic you might wish for me to draw on.
Shine on!
With gratitude,
Lexie 
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